Maharashtra Revenue Minister and Nagpur Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday directed authorities to prepare a comprehensive action plan to tackle rising pollution in Nagpur city and surrounding areas. Chairing a high-level meeting at Planning Bhavan, he proposed setting up an independent foundation dedicated to making Nagpur pollution-free and asked all concerned departments to submit a detailed blueprint within the next three months.
Expressing concern over increasing complaints related to air and water pollution, Bawankule said pollution caused by thermal power plants, paper mills, chemical industries and untreated sewage discharge into rivers such as Nag, Pili, Kanhan and Kolar has become a serious environmental issue. He said nearly 42 villages in the district are affected by pollution and stressed that development cannot come at the cost of public health and agriculture.
The Guardian Minister directed the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and other authorities to take strict action against industries and establishments responsible for pollution. He instructed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, NMRDA, district administration, Zilla Parishad and Pollution Control Board to jointly prepare an integrated “Pollution-Free Nagpur” roadmap with clearly defined departmental responsibilities and both short-term and long-term solutions.
Bawankule also emphasized public participation in environmental planning and suggested involving NGOs, environmental experts and reputed institutions working in the field of sustainability. Serious concerns regarding industrial pollution in areas such as Heti MIDC and Nagaradhan were discussed during the meeting, including issues related to ash emissions, black smoke and contaminated water discharge.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com